Someone To Watch Over Me
Chapter 5: Something Good
Disclaimer: Yeah… um… I don't own them. Shocking, isn't it? And yeah, the song is from The Sound of Music… And no I don't own that either…
I meant to get this one finished on Memorial Day, but I'm just starting it now… It was a major struggle to find a song for this part. Plus, I've been just a *little* busy these past couple of weeks. Maybe I wasn't being all that productive, but that's beyond the point. The important thing is everything is back to normal… Okay, so we're never normal (and by the way, I still don't know what that word means Ez…) but we're back to our usual craziness… I bet the only people still reading this are the people that know what I'm talking about… Or maybe not…
One last thing: This chapter is dedicated to DMG. I'm so glad you're better :)
Chandler sighed and stared out the window of the airplane. The truth was, he hadn't been at a business meeting all weekend. He had been in Florida trying to clear his head and sort out his thoughts. Unfortunately now he was even more confused than when he left.
He didn't know what to do. Things with Kathy had always been a little awkward, considering the way that they got together, but he had hoped that it would be smoothed over after a while. Though no one else in the group knew, things were going downhill for Chandler and Kathy. It wasn't even very noticeable, but it was becoming a little more apparent to Chandler every day.
Kathy seemed insecure about their relationship, and she got jealous whenever Chandler hung out with the gang without her. It looked to him as though she didn't like him spending so much time with the other girls, especially when he was with Monica. Kathy knew that they were best friends, and she had told him that it didn't bother her. He wanted to believe her, but she gave herself away. For an actress, she wasn't very good at hiding her feelings.
And on top of that, there was the whole Monica thing that he still hadn't fully worked through. He had thought that he would be get over Monica, that being with Kathy would prove that it was just a crush, that he would move on. But the more he tried to convince himself that he was over Monica, the more and more confused he was about his relationship with Kathy.
He hoped that the weekend away would clear his head and give him some space. His time to himself had been beneficial as far as giving himself some breathing room was concerned. He had never realized just how little Kathy let him hang out with his friends.
But even now, as he sat staring out the airplane window, he still couldn't figure out what to do about his feelings for Monica. He finally had acknowledged that they were still there, but he didn't know how to handle them.
The plane had just landed, and Chandler groaned inwardly, almost dreading his return. He doubted that Kathy would be waiting for him outside the gate, and he wasn't actually too disappointed at that. But he wondered if the rest of the gang would be. Maybe. He didn't know anymore. Since he had been with Kathy there were a lot of things he wasn't so sure of.
He grabbed his bag and walked out into the terminal. He looked up and scanned the area to see if anyone was waiting for him. He saw no one. He couldn't help but be a little disappointed that no one had come to meet him. He knew he wasn't expecting Kathy to, but he had hoped that at least someone would think of him.
But just as he turned to leave, he saw Monica run up to the gate, looking slightly flustered and a little stressed. Nevertheless, she greeted him immediately and asked him about his trip as they walked through the airport. Chandler hadn't packed very much for the weekend. Everything had fit into his carry-on, so they didn't have to wait for baggage claim.
"How was it?"
"Boring. The usual."
"Aren't all conferences like that though?" She laughed. "At least yours was in Florida. Mine are always in boring places."
"When you're inside the whole weekend, it doesn't matter where the conference is," he lied. He hated lying to her of all people, but he didn't see any other way around it.
"So, do you have any other big news?" She asked, as though she knew something he didn't.
"What do you mean, Mon?"
"Anything. We hardly ever talk like we used to." She paused momentarily, choosing her next words carefully before she continued. "Anything new with you and Kathy?"
"No. Why?" He was a little suspicious. Did she know that things weren't going go well between them?
"Just wondering. You guys seem to be spending a lot of time together. I just wanted to know if anything new or interesting was up with you two." He was bluffing. Maybe he had wanted to surprise them.
"Nope. Nothing at all." He smiled at her. It was actually more of a half smile, but it seemed to break the building tension. They got in a cab and made their way back to the apartment.
*******
Chandler started to go into his apartment, but Monica stopped him. "Everyone is waiting for you over at my apartment. You haven't even seen Ross and Rachel since they got back from their honeymoon."
"Alright, but only for a few minutes." He really just wanted to crawl into his bed and lie there all day. He would only do this for Monica. He hoped she knew that.
Monica opened the door to apartment 20 and took Chandler's bag from him as the rest of the gang yelled 'Surprise' or 'Congratulations' and ran over to hug him.
Chandler was in shock. They had set up a party for him. And for what? They never had a welcome home party for him when he went away to conferences. "What do you mean, congratulations?" He managed to ask them.
"Well, you usually congratulate someone when they're getting married," Rachel answered him. The whole gang was a little confused. They didn't understand why Chandler hadn't told them about getting married in the first place. He was making it seem as if he had no idea that he was getting married.
Chandler was in shock. He was getting married? What were they talking about? And why hadn't he been informed of this? "Explain please." He tried to sound as calm and rational as he could, but he failed miserably.
"Explain?" Ross said incredulously. "There's not much to explain. Kathy told us your secret."
"What secret? Am I the only person who doesn't know about this?"
"Kathy told us. She told us that you guys were getting married."
Chandler was waiting for them to break down and tell him that it was a joke. But they didn't. They just stood there, waiting for his reaction.
"I… I… I can't believe this." He stammered. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I never proposed to Kathy. I had no idea I was engaged."
"You mean she lied to us?" Phoebe asked.
"I guess so."
"That bitch. No one lies to Phoebe Buffay and gets away with it." Phoebe started out the door.
"Wait, Phoebes." Monica said. "Maybe we should let Chandler talk to her first."
"Yeah. Go talk to her Chandler. That's the only way you'll figure out what happened." Brian said. He had no regrets about his break up with Monica (he now realized that it was bound to happen anyway and that they are so much better off as friends). He was happy with Bridie now, and he wanted all of his friends to be in love like they were and like Ross and Rachel were.
*******
"Kathy," Chandler started, as she opened the door to her apartment.
"Oh hey Chandler," she said. She didn't even hug him or ask him how his 'conference' was. She knew why he was here. She had been so stupid. She never should have done what she did.
"I'm guessing you know why I'm here." It was a statement, not a question.
"Yeah, and I'm sorry. I know I was wrong." She looked away.
"The question is 'why did you do it?'"
"I just… I don't… I don't know, really. In all honesty, I guess it was Todd. He was my boyfriend before Joey, and I really loved him. Then we 'took a break' and he slept with someone else." (A/N: Yeah, I know I'm totally ripping off the Ross/Rachel/Chloe story… but that didn't happen to Ross and Rachel in this one, so I'm 'borrowing' it [or perhaps collecting it *laughs at her crazy family*] and using it here). "To make a long story short, I just found out that he's marrying her, and I guess I just got jealous. I don't know why I thought it would make me feel better by making everyone think that I was engaged to you."
"Kathy, look at me." He waited until she turned her face back towards his. "You're a good person and a good friend, but let's face it. You and I were never meant to be. Your heart had always been somewhere else, and as I'm just now learning, so has mine." He paused for a moment to let everything sink in. "If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call." He kissed her on the cheek and left the apartment, without a look back.
She watched from the window as he walked out of the building and called a cab. As the cab faded away into the distance, she whispered "Goodbye Chandler. Good luck." And that was it. He was gone.
*******
He didn't go back to his apartment immediately. He didn't want to have to answer everyone's questions right away. Instead he had the cab driver drop him off at Central Park. He wandered around there for an hour or so, trying to sort out his thoughts, before he headed to Central Perk to get some coffee.
Ross had been sitting at the table by the window when he saw Chandler enter the coffeehouse, order his drink, and sit down in one of their regular seats with his back to Ross.
"What happened man?" Ross asked him.
"We broke up. I don't really mind though. It's been coming for a little while now and we just never dealt with it. Our hearts belong with someone else."
"Oh really. And who would that someone else be." Ross was intrigued. He had no idea that Chandler and Kathy had been having problems.
"Oh just someone. It's never gonna happen with her though."
"You never know Chandler. Look at Rachel and I. I've loved her since high school, and I never thought we'd have a chance. Then I took your advice and moved on, but I was never as happy with Julie as I knew I would be with Rachel. Rachel and I have had our problems and made our fair share of mistakes, but we made it. And we're gonna have each other for the rest of our lives. Chandler, if you love this girl, go tell her that. You'll always regret it if you don't."
"Thanks, man." He didn't know if he had the courage to do this, but deep down, he knew that Ross was right. He stood up, left the coffeehouse, and knocked on the door to Monica's apartment.
He waited anxiously. He hated it when Ross was right.
*******
Monica was worried about Chandler. She didn't know why he had been gone for so long. Maybe he couldn't find Kathy. Or maybe they had made up somehow and were working things out.
She felt a little guilty about it, but she didn't want them to work things out. She had finally figured out why things hadn't worked out between her and Brian. She hadn't known it at the time, but she had looked at Chandler in a whole new light since that night a long time ago when they had watched Mr. Holland's Opus.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
*******
"Hey Mon." Chandler said as she opened the door.
"Hey," she greeted him. "Come on in. I want to know what happened."
"Well," he started, sitting down on the sofa and beckoning for her to sit next to him. "I went over there and she told me that she was sorry and that she didn't really know what possessed her to tell you guys that we were getting married. Something to do with her ex-boyfriend and a break and that he was getting married, to make the shortened version even shorter. So we broke up. And to tell you the truth, that was probably the easiest breakup I've ever been a part of."
"That's crazy. Who would ever suggest a break if they loved the person?" She laughed. (A/N: I couldn't resist). "But I'm really sorry about you and Kathy."
"Don't be sorry. My heart has always belonged to someone else."
"Well then, if you know who it is, go get her." Monica hid her disappointment that she obviously wasn't that someone. If she was, then why on earth would he be sitting on her sofa talking to her about this mystery girl?
"The thing is, I don't know what to do or say to her. What would you suggest?"
"Depends on the girl, but I don't think it would matter as long as you tell her how you feel about her."
"Well, then, here goes nothing." He paused momentarily, and she wondered why he didn't just go find the mystery girl. "Monica," he began, "I love you." And it was the first time he'd ever spoken those three words and really meant them.
He held his breath. Now it was up to her.
Perhaps I had a wicked childhood,
Perhaps I had a miserable youth.
But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past
There must've been a moment of truth.
For here you are, standing there loving me.
Whether or not you should.
So, somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good.
At first, she couldn't believe it, didn't believe it. She hadn't been expecting it. (A/N: I bet you had though…). But it was true. He loved her. "I love you too, Chandler." She whispered. And he took her in his arms and kissed her.
Nothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever could
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good
So here you are standing there loving me
Whether or not you should
So, somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good
The past didn't matter any more. They were in love and they were finally ready to admit it to themselves, and to each other. None of their other failed relationships or mistakes could change what they had. If anything, it would only make it better. They could learn from the past. And that just might make all the difference.
Nothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever could
So somewhere in my youth
Or childhood
I must have done something
Something good.
*******
Epilogue: Two Years Later
"You may kiss the bride." The minister said. Chandler didn't need to be told twice.
"I love you Monica," he whispered in her ear before he kissed her. He heard Joey say 'Yeah baby' as the rest of the congregation clapped.
"It is my pleasure to present, for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Chandler Bing." (A/N: No thanks to Jen the newbie, who doesn't have an excuse for not being able to help me remember what goes here, or to me, who should be able to remember what goes here but can't. Julie is excused because she's never been to a wedding in English. In case you didn't guess, I have no recollection of exactly how wedding's go…). Chandler looked over at his new wife. He couldn't be any happier. And he knew that she felt the exact same way. He didn't have to ask. He just knew. And that was how it should be.
Woohoo!!! It's finished. That's all folks. And now I have to go study for my chemistry final. Wish me luck. And before you go, hit that little button in the bottom corner and drop a few words telling me what you thought. Please remember that this was my first fanfic, so if it sucked be constructive. ~Suds~ (Good grief guys, now I'm doing it too).
Chapter 5: Something Good
Disclaimer: Yeah… um… I don't own them. Shocking, isn't it? And yeah, the song is from The Sound of Music… And no I don't own that either…
I meant to get this one finished on Memorial Day, but I'm just starting it now… It was a major struggle to find a song for this part. Plus, I've been just a *little* busy these past couple of weeks. Maybe I wasn't being all that productive, but that's beyond the point. The important thing is everything is back to normal… Okay, so we're never normal (and by the way, I still don't know what that word means Ez…) but we're back to our usual craziness… I bet the only people still reading this are the people that know what I'm talking about… Or maybe not…
One last thing: This chapter is dedicated to DMG. I'm so glad you're better :)
Chandler sighed and stared out the window of the airplane. The truth was, he hadn't been at a business meeting all weekend. He had been in Florida trying to clear his head and sort out his thoughts. Unfortunately now he was even more confused than when he left.
He didn't know what to do. Things with Kathy had always been a little awkward, considering the way that they got together, but he had hoped that it would be smoothed over after a while. Though no one else in the group knew, things were going downhill for Chandler and Kathy. It wasn't even very noticeable, but it was becoming a little more apparent to Chandler every day.
Kathy seemed insecure about their relationship, and she got jealous whenever Chandler hung out with the gang without her. It looked to him as though she didn't like him spending so much time with the other girls, especially when he was with Monica. Kathy knew that they were best friends, and she had told him that it didn't bother her. He wanted to believe her, but she gave herself away. For an actress, she wasn't very good at hiding her feelings.
And on top of that, there was the whole Monica thing that he still hadn't fully worked through. He had thought that he would be get over Monica, that being with Kathy would prove that it was just a crush, that he would move on. But the more he tried to convince himself that he was over Monica, the more and more confused he was about his relationship with Kathy.
He hoped that the weekend away would clear his head and give him some space. His time to himself had been beneficial as far as giving himself some breathing room was concerned. He had never realized just how little Kathy let him hang out with his friends.
But even now, as he sat staring out the airplane window, he still couldn't figure out what to do about his feelings for Monica. He finally had acknowledged that they were still there, but he didn't know how to handle them.
The plane had just landed, and Chandler groaned inwardly, almost dreading his return. He doubted that Kathy would be waiting for him outside the gate, and he wasn't actually too disappointed at that. But he wondered if the rest of the gang would be. Maybe. He didn't know anymore. Since he had been with Kathy there were a lot of things he wasn't so sure of.
He grabbed his bag and walked out into the terminal. He looked up and scanned the area to see if anyone was waiting for him. He saw no one. He couldn't help but be a little disappointed that no one had come to meet him. He knew he wasn't expecting Kathy to, but he had hoped that at least someone would think of him.
But just as he turned to leave, he saw Monica run up to the gate, looking slightly flustered and a little stressed. Nevertheless, she greeted him immediately and asked him about his trip as they walked through the airport. Chandler hadn't packed very much for the weekend. Everything had fit into his carry-on, so they didn't have to wait for baggage claim.
"How was it?"
"Boring. The usual."
"Aren't all conferences like that though?" She laughed. "At least yours was in Florida. Mine are always in boring places."
"When you're inside the whole weekend, it doesn't matter where the conference is," he lied. He hated lying to her of all people, but he didn't see any other way around it.
"So, do you have any other big news?" She asked, as though she knew something he didn't.
"What do you mean, Mon?"
"Anything. We hardly ever talk like we used to." She paused momentarily, choosing her next words carefully before she continued. "Anything new with you and Kathy?"
"No. Why?" He was a little suspicious. Did she know that things weren't going go well between them?
"Just wondering. You guys seem to be spending a lot of time together. I just wanted to know if anything new or interesting was up with you two." He was bluffing. Maybe he had wanted to surprise them.
"Nope. Nothing at all." He smiled at her. It was actually more of a half smile, but it seemed to break the building tension. They got in a cab and made their way back to the apartment.
*******
Chandler started to go into his apartment, but Monica stopped him. "Everyone is waiting for you over at my apartment. You haven't even seen Ross and Rachel since they got back from their honeymoon."
"Alright, but only for a few minutes." He really just wanted to crawl into his bed and lie there all day. He would only do this for Monica. He hoped she knew that.
Monica opened the door to apartment 20 and took Chandler's bag from him as the rest of the gang yelled 'Surprise' or 'Congratulations' and ran over to hug him.
Chandler was in shock. They had set up a party for him. And for what? They never had a welcome home party for him when he went away to conferences. "What do you mean, congratulations?" He managed to ask them.
"Well, you usually congratulate someone when they're getting married," Rachel answered him. The whole gang was a little confused. They didn't understand why Chandler hadn't told them about getting married in the first place. He was making it seem as if he had no idea that he was getting married.
Chandler was in shock. He was getting married? What were they talking about? And why hadn't he been informed of this? "Explain please." He tried to sound as calm and rational as he could, but he failed miserably.
"Explain?" Ross said incredulously. "There's not much to explain. Kathy told us your secret."
"What secret? Am I the only person who doesn't know about this?"
"Kathy told us. She told us that you guys were getting married."
Chandler was waiting for them to break down and tell him that it was a joke. But they didn't. They just stood there, waiting for his reaction.
"I… I… I can't believe this." He stammered. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I never proposed to Kathy. I had no idea I was engaged."
"You mean she lied to us?" Phoebe asked.
"I guess so."
"That bitch. No one lies to Phoebe Buffay and gets away with it." Phoebe started out the door.
"Wait, Phoebes." Monica said. "Maybe we should let Chandler talk to her first."
"Yeah. Go talk to her Chandler. That's the only way you'll figure out what happened." Brian said. He had no regrets about his break up with Monica (he now realized that it was bound to happen anyway and that they are so much better off as friends). He was happy with Bridie now, and he wanted all of his friends to be in love like they were and like Ross and Rachel were.
*******
"Kathy," Chandler started, as she opened the door to her apartment.
"Oh hey Chandler," she said. She didn't even hug him or ask him how his 'conference' was. She knew why he was here. She had been so stupid. She never should have done what she did.
"I'm guessing you know why I'm here." It was a statement, not a question.
"Yeah, and I'm sorry. I know I was wrong." She looked away.
"The question is 'why did you do it?'"
"I just… I don't… I don't know, really. In all honesty, I guess it was Todd. He was my boyfriend before Joey, and I really loved him. Then we 'took a break' and he slept with someone else." (A/N: Yeah, I know I'm totally ripping off the Ross/Rachel/Chloe story… but that didn't happen to Ross and Rachel in this one, so I'm 'borrowing' it [or perhaps collecting it *laughs at her crazy family*] and using it here). "To make a long story short, I just found out that he's marrying her, and I guess I just got jealous. I don't know why I thought it would make me feel better by making everyone think that I was engaged to you."
"Kathy, look at me." He waited until she turned her face back towards his. "You're a good person and a good friend, but let's face it. You and I were never meant to be. Your heart had always been somewhere else, and as I'm just now learning, so has mine." He paused for a moment to let everything sink in. "If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call." He kissed her on the cheek and left the apartment, without a look back.
She watched from the window as he walked out of the building and called a cab. As the cab faded away into the distance, she whispered "Goodbye Chandler. Good luck." And that was it. He was gone.
*******
He didn't go back to his apartment immediately. He didn't want to have to answer everyone's questions right away. Instead he had the cab driver drop him off at Central Park. He wandered around there for an hour or so, trying to sort out his thoughts, before he headed to Central Perk to get some coffee.
Ross had been sitting at the table by the window when he saw Chandler enter the coffeehouse, order his drink, and sit down in one of their regular seats with his back to Ross.
"What happened man?" Ross asked him.
"We broke up. I don't really mind though. It's been coming for a little while now and we just never dealt with it. Our hearts belong with someone else."
"Oh really. And who would that someone else be." Ross was intrigued. He had no idea that Chandler and Kathy had been having problems.
"Oh just someone. It's never gonna happen with her though."
"You never know Chandler. Look at Rachel and I. I've loved her since high school, and I never thought we'd have a chance. Then I took your advice and moved on, but I was never as happy with Julie as I knew I would be with Rachel. Rachel and I have had our problems and made our fair share of mistakes, but we made it. And we're gonna have each other for the rest of our lives. Chandler, if you love this girl, go tell her that. You'll always regret it if you don't."
"Thanks, man." He didn't know if he had the courage to do this, but deep down, he knew that Ross was right. He stood up, left the coffeehouse, and knocked on the door to Monica's apartment.
He waited anxiously. He hated it when Ross was right.
*******
Monica was worried about Chandler. She didn't know why he had been gone for so long. Maybe he couldn't find Kathy. Or maybe they had made up somehow and were working things out.
She felt a little guilty about it, but she didn't want them to work things out. She had finally figured out why things hadn't worked out between her and Brian. She hadn't known it at the time, but she had looked at Chandler in a whole new light since that night a long time ago when they had watched Mr. Holland's Opus.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
*******
"Hey Mon." Chandler said as she opened the door.
"Hey," she greeted him. "Come on in. I want to know what happened."
"Well," he started, sitting down on the sofa and beckoning for her to sit next to him. "I went over there and she told me that she was sorry and that she didn't really know what possessed her to tell you guys that we were getting married. Something to do with her ex-boyfriend and a break and that he was getting married, to make the shortened version even shorter. So we broke up. And to tell you the truth, that was probably the easiest breakup I've ever been a part of."
"That's crazy. Who would ever suggest a break if they loved the person?" She laughed. (A/N: I couldn't resist). "But I'm really sorry about you and Kathy."
"Don't be sorry. My heart has always belonged to someone else."
"Well then, if you know who it is, go get her." Monica hid her disappointment that she obviously wasn't that someone. If she was, then why on earth would he be sitting on her sofa talking to her about this mystery girl?
"The thing is, I don't know what to do or say to her. What would you suggest?"
"Depends on the girl, but I don't think it would matter as long as you tell her how you feel about her."
"Well, then, here goes nothing." He paused momentarily, and she wondered why he didn't just go find the mystery girl. "Monica," he began, "I love you." And it was the first time he'd ever spoken those three words and really meant them.
He held his breath. Now it was up to her.
Perhaps I had a wicked childhood,
Perhaps I had a miserable youth.
But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past
There must've been a moment of truth.
For here you are, standing there loving me.
Whether or not you should.
So, somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good.
At first, she couldn't believe it, didn't believe it. She hadn't been expecting it. (A/N: I bet you had though…). But it was true. He loved her. "I love you too, Chandler." She whispered. And he took her in his arms and kissed her.
Nothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever could
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good
So here you are standing there loving me
Whether or not you should
So, somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good
The past didn't matter any more. They were in love and they were finally ready to admit it to themselves, and to each other. None of their other failed relationships or mistakes could change what they had. If anything, it would only make it better. They could learn from the past. And that just might make all the difference.
Nothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever could
So somewhere in my youth
Or childhood
I must have done something
Something good.
*******
Epilogue: Two Years Later
"You may kiss the bride." The minister said. Chandler didn't need to be told twice.
"I love you Monica," he whispered in her ear before he kissed her. He heard Joey say 'Yeah baby' as the rest of the congregation clapped.
"It is my pleasure to present, for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Chandler Bing." (A/N: No thanks to Jen the newbie, who doesn't have an excuse for not being able to help me remember what goes here, or to me, who should be able to remember what goes here but can't. Julie is excused because she's never been to a wedding in English. In case you didn't guess, I have no recollection of exactly how wedding's go…). Chandler looked over at his new wife. He couldn't be any happier. And he knew that she felt the exact same way. He didn't have to ask. He just knew. And that was how it should be.
Woohoo!!! It's finished. That's all folks. And now I have to go study for my chemistry final. Wish me luck. And before you go, hit that little button in the bottom corner and drop a few words telling me what you thought. Please remember that this was my first fanfic, so if it sucked be constructive. ~Suds~ (Good grief guys, now I'm doing it too).
